Acquisition and Analysis Studies Department Chief Engineer

The MITRE Corporation•McLean, VA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. The MITRE OSD Division is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Chief Engineer for the Acquisition Studies and Analysis Department (N221). The department advances warfighter lethality, operational effectiveness, and acquisition acceleration for the Department of War. N221’s mission-focused portfolio spans several business lines—Cyber, Electronic Warfare, Installation Resilience and Operational Energy, Industrial Base and Investments, Software and Digital Modernization, Threat and Risk Reduction, and Force Design Analysis and International. The department leverages cutting-edge technologies, data-driven analysis, and innovative acquisition practices to ensure U.S. military superiority in contested environments.

Requirements

Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 10 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 7 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
10+ years of experience in technical leadership roles supporting national defense, acquisition, or related government programs.
Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following areas: systems engineering, mission engineering, cyber, agile software development, modeling and simulation, supply chain risk management, or acquisition transformation.
Proven ability to develop technical strategies that drive innovation and measurable mission outcomes.
Exceptional communication and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder environments.
Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and successfully solve complex technical challenges across business lines and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs and synthesize how disparate activities support a strategic mission objective or outcome.
Demonstrated ability to communicate highly complex technical challenges effectively.
Understanding of national security priorities and intelligence community organizational policies, priorities, and missions.
MUST hold an active Top Secret clearance.
U.S. Citizenship required.
This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site presence.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (MS/MEng) in engineering, science, mathematics, computer science, engineering management, or other related fields.
Familiarity with national security operational environments, threats, and complexities.
Successful participation in end-to-end system development activities from CONOPS to operations.
Understanding of organizational policies, priorities, and missions for US Government organizations in the work program.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Department Manager to develop and execute the department’s technical strategy, aligning workforce shaping, investments, and initiatives to sponsor strategic priorities.
Lead and mature the N221 Technical Quality Program to ensure delivery of high-quality, high-impact technical solutions and products.
Collaborate across all N221 projects to sustain consistency, rigor, and innovation in technical deliverables.
Identify and champion opportunities to expand the department’s technical impact and manage the technical components of pipeline development.
Make significant technical and strategic contributions to department programs, providing thought leadership to project leaders and staff.
Partner with other MITRE Department Managers, Chief Engineers, and Project Leaders to ensure coordinated, high-impact delivery across MITRE National Security (MNS), MITRE Public Security (MPS), and MITRE Labs.
Advance integration and knowledge sharing across MNS for cross-cutting impact and unified technical outcomes.
Support strategic alignment with MITRE’s Internal Research and Development (IRAD) Program to stimulate mission-focused innovation.
Work with the Acquisition Lab to expand technical capabilities within agile acquisition and acquisition transformation, through strategic hiring, capability-building, and deeper technology engagement aligned to the D&S Center build deep strategy.
Define and implement department standards, processes, and procedures that align with sponsor data handling requirements and MITRE business systems while reducing execution barriers.
Support the Division Chief Engineer in implementing division and enterprise technical initiatives.
Strengthen partnerships with MITRE Labs to align technical strategies, leverage laboratory expertise, and introduce innovative solutions into N221 work programs.
Foster partnerships across MITRE sectors and with relevant external organizations to maximize mission outcomes and sponsor impact.
Promote collaboration among department staff across projects, divisions, and sponsors to enhance collective technical excellence and impact